Pre-match information
Vietnam U17 women's team will enter a challenging match when facing China U17 women's team in the second match of the 2026 AFC U17 Women's Championship finals.
Against an opponent who is considered superior in physique, speed and squad quality, coach Okiyama Masahiko and his team need to make significant adjustments in terms of expertise.
In the opening match against Thailand U17 women's team, the Vietnamese girls showed a positive fighting spirit when they were led twice but still got a 2-2 draw.
However, the match also revealed many problems in defense. The Vietnam U17 women's squad often revealed gaps on both wings and had difficulty tracking players when the opponent changed to a faster state.
These limitations will become a difficult problem when facing China U17 women's team. The home team just had an overwhelming performance in the opening match with a 6-0 victory over Myanmar U17 women's team.
China U17 women's team possesses a good physical foundation and strong tackling ability. Their players maintain a stable playing speed throughout the match, and also have the ability to organize flexible attacks. This is a difference from the opponents that Vietnam U17 women's team often encounters in Southeast Asia.
It is predicted that the home team will put great pressure, so the defensive ability of U17 Vietnam women's team will play an important role. The coaching staff is likely to prioritize safety in the way the squad operates, focusing on defensive distance, supporting covering and limiting space behind the defense.
